I am sitting in a hotel room in Milwaukee. I am in the midst of completing mission 1: solo travel.

Milwaukee is actually a really nice city, being in such close proximity I never spent much time here. In high school I used to visit a friend from camp in the close burbs, but never in the city. I wandered the halls of the MIlwaukee Art Museum looking at beautiful and creative works of art. The exhibitions Sensory Overload (I think it was called) and Unmasked and Anonymous were really fantastic. The former was mainly photographs by local artists with a few others like Diane Arbus thrown in. Sensory Overload included an infinity room, something that I guess was a hit in the 60’s, it’s all mirrors and lights in a small room where you have to wear booties over your shoes to enter. It’s like seeing a million little stars (okay lights) going down (if looking down) or up (you get it). Really kind of wild. There was also room that was dark but lined with paraellel hanging blue lights on strings. I’m no good at explaining art, but it was great. And let’s not forget about the architecture of the building on it’s lakefront setting. Stunning.

I then went for a walk near the lake and drove around the city for a bit. Checked into the hotel and then left to go to Milwaukee Public Market. I guess I was expecting something like Seattle’s Park Place or San Francisco’s Ferry Building (is that right?), but it was basically a gourmet food court. I decided instead of heading back to the hotel I’d wander the Historic Third Ward District. It’s that kind of urban renewal neighborhood with converted factory buildings, little shops, and hipster restaurants and bars. Defiantly a place to visit again.

Mission 2: Have a drink and dinner at a bar solo.

Filled with mostly business men talking budgets, meetings, and deals, I was the only female in the hotel bar besides Lu, the bartender. She suggested the Blue Lagoon Martini which when the blue liquid was poured from the shaker smoked. Thus, the lagoon (and dry ice). Nothing screamed CHICK more. But it was tasty, not to sweet like Lu said. Although sports was on every flat screen in the joint, I entertained myself. Smoking was allowed. Pizza was eaten. I proved to myself I could sit in a bar by myself solo for an hour. Go me.